OZAMIZ CITY—With a tone of expressive grief and a term of endearment, Vice Mayor Nova Echavez said in her eulogy that the death of her father may leave an experience of sorrow to their family and supporters but by and large it will make them wiser.
Echavez’s parents—the late Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and wife, Susan, were buried, Wednesday morning, Aug.16 along with the mayor’s brother, Board Member Octavio Parojinog Jr. and sister Mona.
The four were among the 16 persons killed during a drug raid in the homes of the Parojinogs in Barangay Sta. Cruz last July 30, 2017.
Echavez’s eulogy was read after the funeral mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral officiated by Archbishop Jesus Dosado and attended by thousands of relatives, friends and supporters.
The vice mayor is still detained in Camp Crame with her brother Dodo for illegal possession of firearms and illegal drugs.
In her tribute, Echavez thanked family relatives, neighbors, the academe, businessmen politicians and volunteers for their help to the family in the time of distress.
She mentioned the name of Gov. Herminia Ramiro and told her: “Nawad-an ka og usa ka tunay na kakampi, tunay na kaalyado og tunay na anak (in politics).”
She also reminded city councilors it was her father Aldong who showed them the way to politics.
To the barangay captains, she said: “Nasayod ko sa inyong giagian karon nga pagpanghadlok ug mga pang-gulat nga gipahamtang dinha ninyo. Atoa lang iampo ug timan-an nga ang insakto ug kamatuoran walay ikabalaka.”
To those present, she said, “Nasayod ang tanan kinsa si Papa; iyang pagkamapaubsanon nga dili gani motingog sa TV bisan unsaon og pagdaot.”
“Nasayod ang tanan nga dili salbahis nga tawo akong amahan. Wala siyay gidaog-daog; siya pa gani ang gi-traydor ilabina sa iyang mga natabangan sa politika. Hinaot nga dili nato kalimtan ang nahimo sa akong amahan.” (MICHAEL MEDINA)